US4611289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer power management system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-09-29
•
Granted: 1986-09-09
•
Expires: 2003-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A power management system is disclosed for providing power to one or more computers having provisions for communication with an external data source. A source of backup power, including a bank of batteries, is provided which is provided to the power bus during a utility power interruption. A microprocessor monitors the utility line and the energy remaining in the batteries and provides data signals to the computer in response to utility power interruption and to predetermined battery energy levels. The data signals enable the computer to transfer data to non-volatile media to prevent data loss. In one embodiment, two way data links are provided between the computers and the microprocessor, which also controls power cutoff switches connected to each computer. Each computer may signal the microprocessor to cutoff backup power after data has been transferred to non-volatile media.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony F. Coppola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/2015; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising: a source of backup power; means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus; means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted; processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may respond to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; and switch means responsive to a power cutoff signal from the processor means for removing backup power from the computer during an interruption of utility power; and in which the processor means includes means for receiving data from the computer and means for providing the power cutoff signal in response to a safety signal generated by the computer when data loss has been prevented by the computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising: a source of backup power; means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus; means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted; processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may respond to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; and switch means responsive to a power cutoff signal from the processor means for removing backup power from the computer during an interruption of utility power; and in which the processor means includes means for receiving data from the computer and means for providing the power cutoff signal in response to a safety signal generated by the computer when data loss has been prevented by the computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
212 words
A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising: a source of backup power; means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus; means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted; processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may respond to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; and in which the processor means is further responsive to the backup power source for determining the remaining energy which can be supplied by the source during a utility power interruption and further includes means for storing a value representing a predetermined level of electrical energy, and means for comparing the remaining energy from the backup power source to the predetermined level, and in which the first signal is provided after the utility power is interrupted and the remaining energy is less than or equal to the predetermined level of energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
212 words
A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising: a source of backup power; means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus; means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted; processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may respond to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; and in which the processor means is further responsive to the backup power source for determining the remaining energy which can be supplied by the source during a utility power interruption and further includes means for storing a value representing a predetermined level of electrical energy, and means for comparing the remaining energy from the backup power source to the predetermined level, and in which the first signal is provided after the utility power is interrupted and the remaining energy is less than or equal to the predetermined level of energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 2 in which the processor means includes means for receiving data from the computer and in which the value of the predetermined level of electrical energy is provided to the processor means by the computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
208 words
A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising: a source of backup power; means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus; means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted; processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may response to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; switch means responsive to a power cutoff signal from the processor means for removing backup power from the computer during an interruption of utility power; and in which the processor means includes means for storing a predetermined interval of time, means for providing the power cutoff signal when the predetermined interval of time has elapsed, as measured form the occurrence of the first signal, and means for receiving data from the computer whereby the predetermined interval of time is provided to the processor means by the computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
208 words
A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising: a source of backup power; means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus; means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted; processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may response to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; switch means responsive to a power cutoff signal from the processor means for removing backup power from the computer during an interruption of utility power; and in which the processor means includes means for storing a predetermined interval of time, means for providing the power cutoff signal when the predetermined interval of time has elapsed, as measured form the occurrence of the first signal, and means for receiving data from the computer whereby the predetermined interval of time is provided to the processor means by the computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-08 | 1990-03-10 | 1990-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-08 | 1994-03-10 | 1994-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-08 | 1998-03-10 | 1998-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |